Soldering pencil replacement - NEED TODAY

[LaoWiz]

My pencil shorted out and it sucks dick. I have been using a Weller WLC100 40-Watter,  http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC, for years now but the cord coming out of the pencil shorted out and I took it apart but couldn't getting working again. The leads going into the station are hot and measure at 20 volts but when trying to alligator clip the two white wires connecting to the pencil to the ground and + leads of the power wire it didn't heat back up.

The two white wires are connected to the inside of the pencil shaft so I am assuming one is for ground and one is the positive.  I tried clipping the leads to the power cord both ways but no dice. The station seems to be working fine so I just need to find a pencil I can plug into it.

If anyone has fixed this problem and has insight, I would appreciate it!  If not, is there anyone in the LA area that knows of a good place where I can get a new pencil but not the whole station?  I see them online but want to buy one today and tomorrow. I looked at the irons at the Radio Shack around the corner where I live but just couldn't do it.

Thanks a bunch -
Richard

[multi_s]

you can try to measure teh resistance of the element. USUALLY when they blow, they blow open. It should measure a low resistance if it is good. Say if the power really is 40watts and the output voltage is 20 volts then P= IV = V^2/R ---> R = V^2/P = 400/40 = 10 ohms

i would say that if the element is good, it is fixable. i have about 3 Frankenstein wellers that i have put together. sometiems it has been the cord itself, sometimes the element. the stations seem pretty solid.

if the element is blown its not something you can fix without a replacement part.

[LaoWiz]

So would I measure the two leads coming out of the interior of the pencil? And am I correct in assuming that of the two white wire leads coming from the pencil, one is for ground and the other positve?

Thanks, Scott

[multi_s]

if there are just the 2 wires going to the pencil then yes i would say these should be the 2 wires. you will likely measure either infinite resistance or ~10 ohms. It is like you imagine, a voltage source connected across the heating element which is a 2 terminal device.

Anyways, if you measure 0 resistance thats also bad i guess but i dont think you will unless your cord is actually shorting. A heating element is actually quite similar to a resistor. Although often not thought of this way with guitar effects, a resistor is a device which transduces electrical current into heat. similar to how a piezo pickup transduces mechanical vibrations into electrical potential. so you actually need some resistance to generate the heat.

Alternatively you coudl use a multimeter to measure if any current is flowing through the pencil when you connect it to the base. the meter will have to be in series with the pencil. You should measure around 2A which is alot and maybe beyond the limit of some meters. I would suggest the first method.

[LaoWiz]

Thanks for the information. I will take a measurement when I get home. Think I am going to get one of those cheap radio shack irons to hold me over until I get a new unit....

[GiAnt_ROboT]

Home Depot carries Weller gear

[eatyourguitar]

I use the weller WP35. I see a lot of people using the WLC100 but I really like a small simple iron. my bench is a mess and I dont need any more clutter. I do have a hakko tip cleaner on the bench.

[LaoWiz]

I like the WLC100 a lot, I think I just need to find a place that has the pencil. If I would have ordered online a couple of days ago it would probably be here today. Without an iron right now I am at least getting back to some fun stuff on the breadboard...

[eatyourguitar]

Waiting for resistors to arrive. I think i did everything there is to do with a 556 on a breadboard so now im just doing strip board layouts for the triwave pico generator and the cacophonator with input.

[LaoWiz]

Waiting for resistors to arrive. I think i did everything there is to do with a 556 on a breadboard so now im just doing strip board layouts for the triwave pico generator and the cacophonator with input.

Sick! Don't we need a DIY clip/vid page. So much cool shit being built but no sounds! Maybe I'll just start imbedding youtubes when I post my pics.

I have a Small Bear, PPP, and huge Mouser order in transit. Hate waiting for shit. There's a great place, All Electronics, about 30 minutes from my place that has a great stock of diodes, caps, and resistors. I like going there cause it's local but here in LA you have to go in during a decent time or traffic fucks you. One Sundays, they seem to have there high schoolers running the shop. One time I had about 100 bucks worth of parts and the kid didn't feel like running my credit card and gave me the lot for 7 bucks cash money....

[eatyourguitar]

Completed DIY thread is strong like bull